Three months and a few days after my last post, I am back here on the blog. I have to take a short break because last September, I took a new role as a mother. My life has been a roller coaster of everything in the most wonderful sense ever since. I have so much to share about my pregnancy and the delivery of my precious one but those deserve posts of their own so for now, let me share with you my thoughts on the products I tested and used months before I gave birth. There's a lot, actually!

Earlier this year, Revlon released its latest line of lipsticks - the Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor. Right off the bat, these lipsticks look and feel different. It is housed in an unusual slim, retractable tube packaging which has a clear cap that easily shows the color of the lipstick inside. The color of the tube resembles the actual shade of the lipstick which is a great add too.

According to Revlon's website, the Ultra HD Gel Lipstick features ultrahydrating formula with hyaluronic acid and vibrant color pigments in 15 high definition shades. Revlon Philippines is generous enough to send me 5 shades to try. I got the shades Desert, Arabica, Sunset, Tropical and Rhubarb which has a good set from nude to red.

The formula of these lipsticks is amazing. It is so moisturizing that I no longer need a lipbalm under it to prep my exremely dry lips with. It glides smoothly leaving a superb pigmentation. It appears a bit sheer though, so layering it is a must to achieve an opaque finish.

Since it is on the balmy side and it does not completely dry on the lips, expect that it transfers. But no need to fret as it leaves a nice looking tint once it starts to wear off.

715 Arabica is a gorgeous brown shade that is not that overwhelming to wear.

725 Sunset gives a beautiful coral-red shade.

730 Tropical looks Barbie pink on me. I like how it instantly gives me then pregnant face that Wow! feel.

745 Rhubarb is a wearable red that will sure look good on any occasion.

Though I like how it feels on the lips, I noticed that there are shades that appear patchy upon application. The shade Arabica is too sheer and balmy that it appears uneven on my lips. Also, the transferring can be battled by putting on a lipliner underneath the lipstick. This would keep the color longer and make it look more vibrant.

The downside? The price, Php575.00, is a bit steep for 1.7grams of the product. There are other lipsticks in the market that can probably do the same in the same price (or maybe cheaper) with a lot more product. But if you wouldn't mind the price for the hydration and moisturization it gives the lips, then the Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor is a good buy.

Have you tried the Revlon Ultra HD Gel Lipcolor? Share with me your thoughts about it!

Love,

♥ Jes ♥

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When loose setting powders were huge some years back (Actually, they still are until now!), I also jumped into the craze but never really got into it. I have a few in my stash, yes, but they are not something I would really rave about. Based on those that I have tried, from Laura Mercier to Nichido, they appear to be so-so on my skin. They set the makeup well, prevent makeup from creasing and melting, and photograph well - similar to what my compact powder foundations and setting powders do.

Althea Korea, an Korean Beauty online shop, just recently released its 1st brand product - the Althea Petal Velvet Powder. According to Althea, this loose powder has a silky finish made with pure and natural ingredients. It is housed in a pink, screw-cap tub and contains 3 grams of product.

It claims to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines, mattify the skin without dehydrating it, set make up into a flawless finish, and control sebum. Too much for a Php210.00 worth of product, right? Let us see if it keeps up with its claims.

The powder comes out white but spreads out translucent on the skin. The micro-fine particles seeps through the pores blurring it and making the skin look flawless and smooth.

Once blended on to the skin, it gives a velvety finish smooth finish. Though my skin is relatively dry, it doesn't make it look dull and patchy. It sets makeup so well that it helps to keep it intact for long hours. It helps making the makeup look seamless too.

I love using it on its own, without any face makeup just concealer under my eyes, to blur out the pores and make my skin appear smooth and velvety. On the photo above, I used the powder just to set my concealer. I dusted it all over my face too to control the oil.

It is very lightweight so no need to worry if it is to be used to set cream or liquid makeup. In the photo below, I used it on top of a light layer of foundation. Notice how flawless it makes my skin look. Promise, the photo isn't filtered in whatever way. It may have a bit of a white cast but not that bothering.

True to its name and its claims, the Althea Petal Velvet Powder makes the skin velvety smooth. It is a must-have! Wait, have I mentioned that this only costs Php210.00 at Althea Korea? It is indeed a gem in the makeup scene. It has changed my view on loose setting powders that I tend to reach out for it more than my usual compact powders.

One wish though, I hope this will be available in huge tubs! :)

♥ Jes ♥

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My love for eyebrows and eyebrow definition has come to a point that it is already emanating to the people around me. To my strengthen my claim, I have a number of people who can attest that I did influence to shape and fill in their brows. Also, just a few days, I tinted the brows of my colleagues and they were floored with the effect. My heart is proud and yes, I am spreading the love for brows without shame.

This love has allowed me to accumulate, try/use and scrutinize different brow products and select those that are truly worth keeping. Though I want my selection pool to be as diversed as possible, my heart is still drawn more onto the affordable ones since I eat brow products (not literally, of course). And to top it all, I always believe that there are gems in the halls of affordable makeup. We just have to really look for them.

One of the gem I found is the BYS Brow Definition Kit (Php 399.00) in the shade 01 Wow Brows. Honestly, I forgot when I got this eyebrow kit but I am sure it was part the Glamourbox's BYS Special Box.

The BYS Bow Definition Kit has 4 products: 1 clear wax and 3 brow powders in different shades (light, medium, and dark). It also has a dual-ended applicator (an angled brush on one end and a flat brush on the other) which is too small for my huge hands. It would have been a promising kit inclusion but I just couldn't use it.

In one swipe, the powders give off a medium to heavy pigmentation. The texture is soft and smooth, bordering chalky. Though it has a lot of product kick off on the pan, it applies smooth and highly-pigmented on the brows.

The above photo shows how one swipe of the powders look like on my skin. The light brown shade is barely unnoticeable while the darkest one appears too dark for my liking. Though it looks slightly reddish on my skin, I use the medium shade (with a hint of the darkest shade to make it, well, darker) to define my brows.

This is how I do my brows with just the BYS Brow Definition Kit. I start on the edges by drawing the shape of my brows. I usually this part with a heavier hand than usual to deposit more color and to make brows look more defined. Then slowly, I fill in the entire brows with the same color but with a light hand application. If I want to be darker, I use a dab of the darkest shade. For the inner part, I either use the lightest shade or just pull the color inwards.

I am not a fan of the clear wax it comes with as I prefer those that can change the color of my brow hairs. It works good, though, in keeping the brow hairs in place and in prepping the brows for definition.

Given its affordable price and pigmentation, the BYS Brow Definition Kit is a great buy. It gives off an intense pigmentation in one swipe, fairly easy to blend and stays on for long hours without fading. Definitely, I would repurchase!

BYS is available in all leading department stores nationwide.

Do you have any brow products you want me to review or feature? Just leave a comment below!

Love,

♥ Jes ♥

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K-Palette Lasting Eyebrow Tint Review

Out of all makeup that are being released left and right, eyebrow products excite me the most. If you have been a long time reader, you probably know why. I have this thing with brows that I am always on the look out and on a shopping mode for the best eyebrow products. Because Beshie, #KilayIsLife!

When the eyebrow tint craze was huge in the beauty scene, I, of course, jump in to the bandwagon. I have tried a handful from different brands but none seemed to amaze me. I mean, they were okay but were not spectacular. After just a couple of uses, I totally forgot about them. Now, they're lying bored somewhere in my stash.

It was no longer a surprise, for me at least, that K-Palette would have an eyebrow tint to add in their list of eyebrow products. Though I was so-so with eyebrow tints, the K-Palette Lasting Eyebrow Tint still got me excited. Come on, everyone knows how much love I have for K-Palette that I won't let a single product from it pass by without me trying it. And K-Palette is not the #BrowAuthority for nothing, so their tint must be different, if not better, from those that I have tried.

The K-Palette Lasting Eyebrow Tint comes in a sturdy tube, way bigger than those that I have tried, and a slim brush applicator. There are 3 shades available: Light Brown for those with light, yellow-toned hair, Natural Brown for those with brown to black hair, and Mocha Brown for those with reddish-toned hair.

L - R: Light Brown, Natural Brown. and Mocha Brown

Comparing to other eyebrow tints, the consistency of this tint is thicker, nearing a gel-type. Application may be a challenge at first but once you get the groove of it, it becomes easier to layer.

The kit I received came with 2 eyebrow stencils which I am not sure if are also packed with those that are available in stores. Since I draw my brows differently, or at least different from my natural brow shape, I didn't use the stencils.

This is how my undefined brows look like - thin and with arches that can reach the sky. For everyday, I want my brows to look a bit thicker with a subtle arch so I usually draw it differently, in a good way.

Though I have mastered my brow-drawing skills, I was still afraid to have uneven brows after the process. So to make sure, I first drew the outline with a regular brow pencil.

After achieving the shape that I want, I filled traced the outline and filled it out with the tint. It took me about 3-4 layers to at least make the color look even. I also tried to create a fading effect on the inner part of the brows but it seemed so impossible to do.

The best results would be achieved if you will leave it overnight but I was so excited to see how it works on me so I just kept it on for 2 hours, exactly 2 hours.

Then my favorite part, the peeling. Once the formula completely dries, it feels rubbery. It is very easy to peel off but extra care should still be observed if you don't want your brow hairs to go with it. I peeled it off starting from area near my nose outward, following the growth of hair. In doing this, it lessens the chances of losing brow strands in the process. In my case, no brow strands came with the peel!

It worked! It tinted my skin, resembling the shape of how I want my brows to look like, but it was lighter than how I want it to be. Was it about the shade I used? Or, the number of hours I had it on? Still, I was pleased! My brows looked natural and fuller. Actually, I went out with just this and no one commented, "Oh Jes, hindi ka ata nakakilay?"

Since I want my brows darker, I traced it out with an eyebrow pencil and this is how it turned out.

By doing this extra step every week, the time I do my brows in the morning is now down to 3 minutes, max 5. Yes, from the usual 10-15 minutes, I can now do my brows in as quick as 3 minutes. I only have to trace the shape and I am off to go. But every week, I have to make time to tint my brows. I don't mind this at all, actually.

It is said to last for a week or so but in my case, the color starts to fade on the 3rd day. This is not much of a deal for me given that I only use it as guide for my usual brow definition. Also, I have noticed that it fades faster and the color changes everytime you use a makeup remover. Mine always turns to a greenish-gray color maybe because I use micellar water to take off my makeup.

So do I like it? Oh, yeah! Using the K-Palette Lasting Eyebrow Tint has become a part of my weekly routine. And I see myself using this regularly as it saves me more than 10 minutes of my day's makeup routine. And for sure, I will be using this when I am about to give birth. So regardless of what happens on that big popping day, my brows are still on shape!

If your day is just running around 4-5 hours of sleep max, then a caffeine fix in your system and a good concealer on your face will always be called to the rescue. Before, I am good with those two to start my day but since I am still on caffeine ban (Boo!), I am totally relying with the help of my trusty concealer to keep me looking awake and well, alive.

Luckily, thanks to genetics and being a skincare freak, I don't have much to conceal on my face. Just the usual - undereyes and few blemishes here and there. But still, having a good concealer to make the base oh-so-flawless and perfect wouldn't hurt.

I got the Missha The Style Under Eye Brightener from Althea late last year if I am not mistaken. It took me a while to write about it because I had my fair share of hits and misses with it. There were times I liked it but there were times I would toss it out of my stash just because I didn't think it was good enough for my liking.

But a few months ago I needed a concealer I can keep in my office makeup kit for emergency purposes (I am good with just brows and lips for my everyday look). Since I consider it to be a so-so concealer, I decided to put it in the kit. After a number of unexpected emergency needs which put this concealer to a test, lo and behold, I learned to love it.

Missha The Style Under Eye Brightener is housed in a tip-type packaging with a doe-foot applicator. There are only two shades available, Light Beige and Natural Beige, and I got the latter just because it appears more peachy-beige than the lighter one.

It gives a medium to heavy coverage in just a few dots, which is just about 3-4 per under eye. Be careful though as it sets quick. It sets into a powdery-matte finish so you can skip the setting powder unless that area tends to be very oily. But if your under eye area is dry, just like mine, make sure to pat on a generous amount of eye cream as this concealer has a tendency to go through the tiny lines and crevices.

The consistency of this concealer, though thicker compared to other concealers, is blendable. I noticed that it blends well with fingers than brushes or sponges. It stays on for long hours, doesn't crease, and is water-resistant.

It works great in concealing but I don't see much on its brightening effects. This can be mainly because of the shade. Natural Beige blends well on my skin that it doesn't seem to brighten my under eye area that much.

Just like what I mentioned in my previous post, highlighters is paired with contouring. For one to be able to maximize the effects of contouring, a highlight should be placed on places that you want to put forward or protrude. Though a lighter powder will do, shimmery highlighters are commonly used to attract more light on the area. And I know you already know how the simple dab-dab-dab of these products do wonders on a makeup look.

I have a number of highlighters in my stash to try and review but the Laneige Cushion Highlighter SPF30 PA++ (Php 1,100.00) interests me the most. Since I am familiar on how Laneige BB Cushion works and it is one the bests that I have tried, I have high hopes with this cushion highlighter.

As its name implies, the product is housed in a cushion, complete with an air puff sponge. Comparing it with the usual sizes of compact cushions, this Laneige Cushion is slightly smaller with about a diameter of 6cm.

It has a decent sized mirror inside. Like other cushion compacts, the inside part can be pushed out for refilling purposes. Honestly though, I am not sure if there are refills available.

The air puff sponge has a separate compartment, which is good. Upon opening, there is a sticker covering the actual product cushion. Fact: I don't remove these stickers, unless they get peeled off on their own. I just think that they serve as an extra protection. :)

The packaging does not indicate any shade so I am assuming there is only one shade available. The product comes out as light beige from the cushion but turns into pearly pinkish-beige once blended onto the skin.

There are micro pearl particles which, according to Laneige, express hydro-radiance that provides natural radiance boost. True enough, once blended well, it gives the skin a natural-looking radiance. The micro pearls adhere close to the skin and blends well with any base.

I love using it on my cheekbones but I find it to be too much of a highlight on areas like the bridge of the nose and the forehead. Well, if you are really going for that heavily glowing look that this will work great. It stays on for about 5-6 hours. Yes, much longer than powder highlighters!

One more good thing about this highlighter is its scent. It smells so good! It smells like the usual Laneige BB Cushions which I love so much.

The downside? It's bulky compared to usual powder highlighters. It takes so much space in my makeup kit that I'd rather leave it at home than bring it along with me.

But other than that, the Laneige Cushion Highlighter SPF is worth its price (just like the other Laneige products I have tried)! It blends flawlessly on the skin, stays on for long hours, and provides extra SPF. But I have to wait for it to have refills available before I repurchase to not put the compact to waste. Sayang naman ang Php1,100 ko kung nagkataon! :)

This question baffled me for the longest time until I decided to research on it. Being a non-professional in the field is disadvantageous when it comes to terminologies, I tell you. All I knew before was that they do the same thing -- accentuate the highest points of the face. So after thorough research (Thanks, Google!), I found out that yes, they are the same at one point. They both accentuate the highest points of the face - the tops of the cheekbones, the brow bones, the cupid's bow, the bridge of the nose, and the chin - using a highlighting/illuminating product. The main difference comes on how to do it. Highlight is paired with contouring (Yup, they go hand in hand!) while strobing flies solo.

Quite a learning, huh? But for now, let us put the focus on strobing. Strobing only uses light to enhance the face. No contour, no bronzer. Just the play of illuminating products that mimics what is to be under flattering lights. Personally, I haven't done it until I had my hands on Maybelline Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter.

The Maybelline Master Strobing Stick is housed in a twist-up tube. There are 2 shades available locally - Nude and Pink. What I have is Nude, a warm champagne shade that looks good on almost any skin tone.

Since it is on a twist-up stick form, it is very easy to use. Just twist it up and apply in on areas that you want to highlight.

One, soft swipe

The creamy formula rich with micro-fine pearls gives the skin the illuminated look, as if lit from within. Since my huge face cannot completely ditch contouring, I tried to be subtle when I first used the Maybelline Master Strobing Stick to see how strobing fares on me.

Looking at the above photo, a swipe of the Maybelline Master Strobing Stick on my cheekbone made my skin look glowing and well, highlighted. Take note that though you can just easily swipe it on targeted areas, you still have to blend it. Unless, you want that stick-straight glow on your face. I noticed that the warmth of the fingers helps in blending it to the skin and that brushes/sponges just tend to swipe it off.

It stays for a good 3-4 hours on the face. Not that longlasting but since it is conveniently packaged in a stick form, you can just reapply whenever and wherever you want to.

The only caveat (for me, at least) is that it has the tendency to ruin an already set foundation. This only happens when you apply it, with a heavy hand, on the face. Though it is creamy, it being swiped directly on the face can remove the foundation on the targeted area. This doesn't happen always but has the possibility to happen. What I do is to swirl my ring finger on the product and use it to apply on my face. It works, always. :)

♥ Jes ♥

Jes Roque

Educator ǀ Beauty Blogger ǀ Filipina

An educator by profession and a beauty enthusiast by choice, Jes shares her thoughts on beauty and all the love in between through MakeUpLove. Hop in and get a dose of reviews, tutorials, features, expressions, and love.

Contact

Email me at jes@jesroque.com or e_jes1105@yahoo.com for inquiries, product reviews, events, product launches, collaborations, sponsorship or just anything you want us to discuss.